Best Guitalele For Beginners in 2021

Now this is a an instrument that pretty much nobody has heard of.

Not that anyone I know of anyways . . .

It’s called a guitalele (Pronounced Gita-le-le).

A guitalele sounds more like a classical guitar and tuned like a standard guitar.

Almost as big as a concert ukulele the guitar ukulele is the smallest 6 stringed instrument around today. It’s actually smaller than a travel guitar too. Now that’s saying something. If you’ve tried a lap steel guitar, then you’ll appreciate the sound of a guitalele even more.

Anyways, can you guess how they came up with the name “Guitalele”?

What is a Guitalele or a 6 string ukulele?

Just like you may have guessed, a guitalele is basically half a guitar and have ukulele. It is also referred to as a 6 string ukulele.

Pretty neat eh?

A guitalele comes with six strings like a real standard guitar.

However, sound wise, it’s basically like putting a capo on the fifth fret.

A guitar capo is something used to ‘preserve’ a certain octave on a guitar for an entire song.

James Blunt used it for his famous song ‘You’re Beautiful’.

If you watch him play, you’ll see he only uses the frets that fall under the capo. As it produces a certain sound.

Pretty common thing to do on stringed instruments by the way.

As far as the size goes, a guitalele it’s literally ¼ of your average guitar size.

So to say that it’s quite small is an understatement. I guess you can say that it is small enough for ukulele players but big enough (Sound wise) for full size guitar lovers.

If you were always looking for that perfect mix a ukulele that you can play like a guitar, this is what a guitalele is supposed to bring to the table.

Now I know what you’re thinking . . .

Why should you buy a guitalele? Why can’t you just tune a ukulele to a standard guitar setting right?

Well because the main different between a ukulele and a guitar is a uke only has 4 strings and guitar has 6.

That’s why, a guitalele serves a nice little ‘mixed baby’ of a guitar and a ukulele.

A guitalele is also known as kiku (Hawaiian name).

So for who is this instrument designed for?

First, for guitar players who simply want to practice their guitar skills (While watching TV or sitting in a small room, etc).

The second group that would enjoy the guitalele would be for guitar players  and enthusiasts who prefer a small sized stringed instrument.

A guitalele can be great beginner guitar for kids as well.

At the end of the day, a guitalele is for anyone who wants to play a fun stringed instrument and have a great time doing it.

#1 – Yamaha GL1 Guitalele – Best Guitalele

All right guys, this 17 inch wonder is the first guitalele on the list and it’s quite possibly the best guitalele so far. Made by the one and only, king of stringed instruments, Yamaha. The Yamaha GL1 guitalele comes with quality nylon strings, and it’s already in tuned. this is actually the first time that it’s been available in North America.

By the way don’t get confused, the strings might look they are made of steel but they’re actually nylon. That’s one of the main things about a guitalele. They always come with nylon strings (I mention this a couple times later as well).

Anyways, this guitalele is appreciated by both beginners and professionals. If you’re a ukulele player, you’re really appreciate this guitalele as would feel quite natural for you.

Overall, the Yamaha GL1 is a quality product with impeccable construction. Basically the best guitalele out right now and if not, definitely in the top 5. This one is an entire bundle complete with a guitalele bag as well.

#2 – Donner Guitalele

This guitalele is 28 in length. Still small enough to qualify as a guitalele but definitely larger than the Yamaha mentioned earlier.

Donner is another brand that I really like because they make decent stringed instruments and no matter what musical instrument you get from them, it tends to fit most people’s budget.

This one is another great package as it includes all the necessities such as a tuner, a bag and a few other things.

Donner can definitely improve more on the construction of this specific guitalele model but most people seem to be happy with what they’ve received.

#3 – Luckycyc 28 inch Guitalele

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Although Luckycyc seem to be someone that is just trying to get a piece of the guitalele pie, that doesn’t mean they’re not putting out quality products.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any data on this new brand but decided to give them a chance. After all, everyone deserves a shot.

Hope these guys do good as it will only mean more choices for you and I. If you know more about this brand, please contact us.

#4 – Gretsch Guitalele

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If you enjoy playing a ukulele or use to play a guitar, you will really love this guitalele. Small in size, big on sound and overall,  just a quality product.

Just like a good guitalele is suppose to be. The Gretsch G9126 has quickly become one of the most loved guitaleles out there today (Praised especially by professional guitar and ukulele players).

It comes with case and a good looking mahogany body. All in all, most seem to really enjoy this guitalele but for a lot, it doesn’t come tuned.

So once you get it, make sure you test the tuning on it first.

#5 – Ortega Guitalele

A very well made guitar (Unlike the RGL5 E), the RGL5 has been well received and is deemed as a quality guitalele. This counts for overall construction and it’s sound.

We would like to hear more from other users on their experience has been so far with this specific model.

Anatomy of a Guitalele

A guitalele is pretty much like a guitar just super small in stature. A good way to compare it would be with a concert ukulele.

As mentioned earlier, right around 17 to to 28 inches.

Unlike your electric or acoustic guitar, the strings on a guitelele are nylon.

So it’s easy to play with and it’s tuned to. As far as the anatomy goes, the only main difference vs a ukuelele is a guitalele has 6 strings and ukulele has 4.

That’s all.

Guitalele Tuning

To tune a guitale, you simply need to tune the strings to the following setting:

ADGCEA

That’s how you tune a guitalele.

Simple right?

Guitalele Strings

Unlike an acoustic or electric guitar, they strings on a Guitalele are always nylon. It’s one of it’s key and core features. There were some electric guitaleles floating around but that just didn’t work.

Soon they were taken off the shelves. So remember, a guitalele always has nylon strings. The idea behind a guitalele is to play your favorite standard guitar tunes but also be easy on your fingers.

All at the same time.

Best Guitalele Brands

Since it’s still somewhat hasn’t caught on yet, there are not that many brands who are involved with making guitaleles just yet.

Here are the ones that we think are doing a great job so far.

Yamaha

Thank god Yamaha entered this market. The Yamaha guitalele is hands down as good as the famous Yamaha acoustic guitar F series. Can’t wait to see what other gutalele models they introduce in this genre.

Donner

Another important brand in the music industry (Especially for guitar players), this American brand made it’s name with guitar pedals so it’s only right to see them enter the guitalele market as well.

Ortega Guitars

You might not have heard of them but they’ve been in the game since 1994. Ortega specializes in making professional guitars and they didn’t disappoint with their guitalele. They better not as they are from Spain. The birthplace of classical aka Spanish guitars. Basically what a guitalele really is.

FAQ

Sources:

• Can you tune a guitalele like a regular guitar? If so how?
• The Best Guitalele Guide – Reviews, Tuning, and Chords